Apparatus for handling bags

Abstract

Apparatus for handling bags that are conveyed on a first conveyor in an upright position and on a second conveyor in a lying position, particularly for the gentle handling of bags and adapted to the handling of stand up bags, by providing a transfer device between the first and second conveyor, the first conveyor comprising a transfer portion in which the bags are oriented in a substantially horizontal direction in space, and the transfer device comprising a depositing surface for forming a row of lying bags, alone with a gripper for pulling the bags from the first conveyor onto the depositing surface in a substantially straight movement, and a delivery means for delivering the row of bags to the second conveyor.

We claim:  
     
       1. In an apparatus for handling bags, said bags being conveyed in an upright position on a first conveyor and in a lying position on a second conveyor, the improvement comprising a transfer device ( 5 ) is provided between the first and second conveyors ( 3 ,  15 ) for handling stand up bags ( 2 ), said first conveyor ( 3 ) comprising a transfer portion ( 3   a ) in which the bags ( 2 ) are oriented in a substantially horizontal direction in space, and said transfer device ( 5 ) comprising a depositing surface ( 9 ) for forming a row of lying bags ( 2 ), a gripper ( 6 ) for pulling the bags ( 2 ) from said first conveyor ( 3 ) onto said depositing surface ( 9 ) in a substantially straight movement, and delivery means ( 10 ) for delivering the row of bags ( 2 ) to said second conveyor ( 15 ). 
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first conveyor ( 3 ) conveyor belt with accommodating means ( 4 ) for comveying the bags ( 2 ) in an upright position, said conveyor belt being oriented in a vertical direction in said transfer portion ( 3   a ). 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said first conveyor ( 3 ) is a conveyor assigned to a cooling device. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2 ,  claim 1 , wherein said gripper ( 6 ) contains clamps ( 8 ) that are pivotable about an axis ( 7 ). 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said first conveyor ( 3 ) is designed for conveying a plurality of bags ( 2 ) that are arrange side-by-side in the conveying direction (A), said plurality of bags ( 2 ) corresponding to the number of the bags ( 2 ) in the row, and that said gripper ( 6 ) is designed for simultaneously withdrawing and depositing all bags ( 2 ) of then row. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said delivery means ( 10 ) comprises an elongated movable carrier ( 12 ,  16 ) and a number of holding means ( 18 ) for the bags ( 2 ), said number of holding means ( 18 ) corresponding to the number of bags ( 2 ) of a row. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said holding means are suction means ( 18 ). 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein said carrier ( 12 ,  16 ) is movable by means of cranks ( 13 ) around two axes ( 13   a ,  13   b ) in a closed path of a constant longitudinal orientation between said depositing surface ( 9 ) and said second conveyor  15 . 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the motional direction (D) of said carrier ( 12 ,  16 ) above said second conveyor ( 15 ) substantially corresponds to the direction (E) of said second coneyor ( 15 ). 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to  claim 6 ,  7 ,  8  or wherein said holding means ( 18 ) are adjustable in height. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said depositing surface is formed by a transfer conveyor ( 9 ). 
     
     
       12. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said delivery means comprises an elongated carrier ( 12 ,  16 ) which is provided with holding means ( 18 ) for simultaneously receiving, holding and transferring a plurality of bags ( 2 ) and which is movable by means of cranks ( 13 ) around two axes ( 13   a ,  13   b ) within a closed path of a constant longitudinal orientation.